I want to be a part of finding a cure for diabetes.
Please notice I didn't say Type 1 diabetes, although I certainly direct a large portion of my time, money and attention to just that goal, but I also want to find a cure for Type 2 Diabetes, gestational diabetes, and every other type of diabetes which exists.
I often get the impression that people think one type of diabetes is worse than the other, to me that's like telling someone with cancer that they don't have the "bad" kind...seriously, is there a good type of cancer? Likewise, there's no "good" kind of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes research is near and dear to my heart because I feel like my family is racing the clock...T1 is doing it's damnedest to kill my child and I am hell bent on making sure that doesn't happen, but I also have two brothers and a best friend with T2 diabetes, and my father, grandmother, and grandfather all had T2 when they died....yeah, diabetes LOVES my family tree!
So here's the thing, Type 1 diabetes is a bitch with it's constant blood sugar checks, insulin injections, ketones, neuropathies, increased risks of heart disease, stroke, amputations, coma and death. But people with Type 2 diabetes also have blood sugar checks, medications (normally oral, but sometimes injected), ketones, neuropathies, increased risks of heart disease, stroke, amputations, coma and death. Diabetes doesn't care if you're Type 1 or Type 2, it just wants to make your life hell and kill you before it's your time to go. When put like that doesn't it seem like our two communities should join forces and work together to find cures for ALL types of diabetes?
In 2011 the National Diabetes Fact Sheet said 25.8 MILLION adults and children had diabetes...and that was only in the United States. The World Health Organization says 347 MILLION of people have diabetes worldwide...and those numbers are growing every day.
So here's my challenge to all of you who have any type of diabetes or who loves someone with diabetes...DO SOMETHING!
We need to bring our communities together for the common good. We need to stop focusing on which type of diabetes is worse and pour that energy into making life better for ALL diabetics.
There are so many ways to help, go on any diabetes related organization's website and you'll see lists of fundraising events. You can walk, you can ride, you can collect pennies at your child's school, or give a dollar to have your name put on a paper sneaker, but there is NO justification for not doing anything.
Can't walk? Don't want to ride? That's fine, sponsor someone who is (and NO, this statement is not a veiled plea for people to sponsor me in my Ride to Cure.) Can't afford to give $5 to sponsor someone, then share links to their fundraising sites with your friends, volunteer for a committee...there are LOTS of diabetes related committees who would appreciate even one hour of your time. Send emails to your state legislatures telling them about how your family has been affected, make some phone calls, sign petitions asking for more funding, visit your state capital, educate friends and family...the opportunities are endless.
And for all you blessed people who have never been cursed with diabetes in your life I only have two words...EDUCATE YOURSELF. In the last month the diabetes related pages have been blowing up with story after story of people who have died because their diabetes wasn't diagnosed in time. Don't live in a bubble, because it CAN happen to you. Diabetes can hit you or your child with the speed and force of an anvil falling out of the sky and your life will never be the same again. So get on the internet, go to the library, talk to your doctor, do whatever you need to do and educate yourself so if - God forbid - the symptoms of diabetes suddenly appear you'll recognize them before there's a blue candle lit for the death of your loved one.
Imagine a world where 347 million people are working together towards a common cause. Alone we're only 1 person, but together we can be a force to be reckoned with.
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